Former News of the World reporter found dead

A former News of the World reporter who claimed that PM David Cameron's former communications chief knew of phone hacking at the tabloid was found dead at his home on Monday. Police described Sean Hoare's death as "unexplained" but not suspicious.

AFP - A whistleblower in Britain's phone-hacking scandal, former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare, was found dead at his home Monday but there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances, police said.

Hoare alleged in interviews with The New York Times newspaper and the BBC last year that the tabloid's former editor Andy Coulson, who went on to become press chief to British Prime Minister David Cameron, knew about voicemail hacking.

He was found dead early Monday at his home in Watford, north of London, Hertfordshire Police said in a statement.

"At 10:40 am today police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street," the force said.